Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1917 ‘Second Battle of Bullecourt’ M.M. group of four awarded to Private H. Hewitt, 7th Australian Machine Gun Company, Australian Imperial Force, a veteran of Gallipoli, who was killed in action on the Western Front, 22 September 1917

Military Medal, G.V.R. (122 Pte H. Hewitt. 7/Bde: Aust: M.G. Coy); 1914-15 Star (122 Pte H. Hewitt. 25/Bn. A.I.F.); British War and Victory Medals (122 Pte. H. Hewitt. 25 Bn. A.I.F.) mounted for wear, with small 9ct. gold badge, engraved ‘For God & King, Australia’, generally good very fine or better (4) £700-£900

M.M. London Gazette 9 July 1917. The original recommendation states:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty at Bullecourt on 3rd May 1917. Although buried twice he helped to dig his gun out and remained at his post under very heavy shell fire, thereby materially assisting in repelling enemy counter attacks.’

Herbert Hewitt was born in Edmonton, Canada. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at Brisbane, Queensland, 1 March 1915, and was posted to the 25th Australian Infantry Battalion, serving in Gallipoli from September 1915.

Hewitt transferred to the 7th Australian Machine Gun Company in March 1916, and served with them in the French theatre of war later that month. He distinguished himself during the Second Battle of Bullecourt, 3 May 1917.

Private Hewitt was killed in action whilst serving with No. 1 Section on the Western Front, 22 September 1917, and is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.